To make sure you're well equipped to handle the ill effects that the monsoon season brings with it, here are some tips that you should keep in mind.

Splash clean water on your face multiple times a day, and wash your face especially if you get wet in the rain. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

After the trying summer months, wishing for the rains to come and give us respite from the heat is quite natural. But as much as we love the rains, not many of us have the luxury to sit everyday next to the window with a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea and a book. Offices must be reached and jobs must be done – and in an endeavour to do this, the oh-so-wonderful rains must be braved as well.

As fun as getting wet in the rain sounds, if that is esentially followed by a trip to the office or a client meeting, the whole scenario takes a very different turn. It also brings in some very valid health concerns because it’s not always possible to go take a quick shower after getting drenched. Wet clothes and shoes are common during the monsoon months, and let us not even get started about the impact that the moisture and humidity of the season have on your skin and hair.

So, to make sure you’re well equipped to handle the ill effects that this season brings with it, here are some tips that you should keep in mind:

* Sore feet after wearing socks that have gotten drenched because of rainwater is a common problem during monsoons. Since you have no control over the weather, pre-empt the problem and leave a spare pair of shoes and socks at work, so that you can quickly change into them when you get into work.
* Sprinkling anti-fungal powder daily inside your socks when leaving for work also helps. In case you see some redness in your hands and/or feet, apply a cream containing ketoconazole; don’t use OTC creams that contain steroids.
* Monsoons are also a time when there are many insects around — and those usually mean lots of irritating insect bites on your skin, bug rashes, slight erythema and redness, all of which could be spotted on your body. In fact, rainwater can cause itching too. In such cases, a great home remedy is to apply curd stat on it and a few times daily for three to five days. As a means to keep your skin rash-free, be sure to apply Lactocalamine lotion or any other lotions containing aloe vera daily after your bath. This will help keep the skin smooth and soft and allergy-free. Also, so as to ensure there are no lasting marks on your skin, bathe the sensitive area twice a day and keep using the aloe vera and/or lactocalamine lotions for at least a month. In case the colour deepens, then contact a dermatologist.

* Another common monsoon problem is acne, mainly for youngsters. This is because of the bacterial overgrowth on the face especially if you’re exposed to a lot of rainwater. In such cases, it’s imperative to wash your face at least twice a day, even if it’s just with plain water. You can also use mineral water sprinklers available at pharmacies.
* Also, start using antibiotic gel on a zit as soon as it appears since they tend to linger on the body for longer during monsoons. The sooner you start treating them, the less chance of them leaving a mark on your face or body. Antibiotic gels containing adapalene, isotretinoin and/or azithromycin will surely help in this season.

What is a daily skin-care regime that you should follow during monsoons?
* Splash clean water on your face multiple times a day and also take a bath twice a day preferably.
* Using antibacterial soaps and lime-based soaps is best in this season.
* Applying sunscreen even on a cloudy day is important and so is drinking water. You should remember that being well hydrated and drinking lots of water is needed for a healthy skin glow.
* At night, even on dry skins, using a gel- or serum-based night creams is a better option in this weather.
* Avoid make-up as due to rains and humidity it’s frequently going to cake up and not look great unless it’s for a short while only, and has a matte finish.
* For hair dryness due to humidity, the best thing to do is to go for a trim on monthly basis in the rains and also using home remedies like egg yolk on a weekly basis.
* Avoid excess oiling as that can lead to dandruff with the change of season.